The House of Worship (also known as "Lotus Temple") in New Delhi, IndiaBy Arian Zwegers, via Wikimedia Commons

Houses of Worship

The proper name of a Bahá’í House of Worship is “Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, which means “Dawning Place of the Mention of God”. This is where Bahá’ís meet together to pray, and is the central focus for the community. There is at least one Bahá’í House of Worship on each continent. There are Houses of Worship in Australia, Chile, Germany, India, Panama, Samoa, Uganda and USA. National and local ones are also starting to be built as the number of Bahá’ís increases.

1.

The House of Worship in India is often known as the “Lotus Temple” because it is built in the shape of a lotus flower. It has won awards for its innovative architecture. Why was this design chosen?

Because it was a challenge

Because it would impress visitors

Because the lotus flower is recognised as a symbol of purity by the different religions in India

Because a lotus flower has nine petals

It has become a well-known tourist destination as well as a popular place for local people to pray and meditate.

2.

Who is allowed to preach at the House of Worship?

Anyone who wants to

Nobody at all

The Secretary of the local Bahá’ís

The oldest person present

There are no Bahá’í priests, and no sermons are given, the building is there for the praise of God.

3.

The Bahá’í House of Worship is a domed building. How many sides should it have?

4

5

9

12

‘Abdu’l-Bahá indicated that the House of Worship should have nine sides, nine avenues and nine entrances. The number nine is associated with unity.

4.

Where was the first Bahá’í House of Worship built?

Tehran, Iran

Baghdad, Iraq

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Wilmette, Illinois (U.S.A.)

The building of the House of Worship was begun in 1902 and took five years to complete. There was a large Bahá’í community of some thousands there at the time because many Bahá’ís from northern Iran had sought refuge after suffering years of persecution in their homeland. The House of Worship was seized by the Soviet government in 1928. It was converted into a museum in 1938, the building was damaged in an earthquake in 1948, and what was left was demolished in 1963.

5.

Who pays for the building of a Bahá’í House of Worship?

Just the Bahá’ís

Voluntary subscription by anyone

Multi-national companies, through sponsorship

Charities that support the Bahá’í principles

The cost of construction and maintenance of a Bahá’í House of Worship can only be paid for by Bahá’ís through donations to the Bahá’í Fund.

As circumstances permit, the Bahá’í Houses of Worship will all have associated institutions. What will they include?

A cultural centre for the dramatic arts

A shopping mall

A Bahá’í museum

Social Institutions such as schools, hospitals, universities

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that the House of Worship is “also connected with a hospital, a drug dispensary, a travellers’ hospice, a school for orphans, and a university for advanced studies”. These philanthropic institutions are open to those of all religions or none.

9.

Where in each House of Worship is the Greatest Name symbol?

On the front of each door

Inside the top of the dome

Just above each window

Inlaid in the floor

It can only be seen by looking up to the highest point. The Greatest Name refers to an invocation in Arabic, “Ya Baha’u’l-Abha,” which means, “O Glory of the All Glorious,” which is often displayed in calligraphic form in Bahá'í homes and places of Bahá'í activity.

10.

Who is allowed into a House of Worship?

Bahá’ís only

Adult Bahá’ís only

Bahá’ís and their guests

Everybody

Everybody, of any Faith or none, is welcome.

Author:
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom